Once again, the depth of the Green Bay Packers wide receivers will be discussed heavily. The group of pass-catchers had a lot written about it this off-season. Many wondered if they had the necessary depth behind star wide receiver Davante Adams. However, in the Packers first three games, the wide receivers behind Adams answered those questions. Unfortunately, because of an injuries, the wide receivers will be under the microscope once again. The injury to Allen Lazard could force a change to the Packers passing attack on Monday night football.
Injury to Allen Lazard Could Change Green Bay Packers Offense
Last week’s win over the New Orleans Saints was impressive. Not just the victory itself, but that they did it without the services of Davante Adams. Adams hurt his hamstring in the Packers victory in week two over the Detroit Lions. With his absence, Allen Lazard stepped up and had a career game.
Lazard hauled in six passes for 146 yards with one touchdown. What makes that showing even more impressive is that he did it while injured. Not long after the Sunday night victory, news came that he played through a core injury. The injury was severe enough that it forced Allen Lazard to have surgery this past week. He will be out indefinitely.
While Adams has practiced this week, he isn’t guaranteed to play this week against the Atlanta Falcons. With possibly missing his top two wide receivers, head coach and offensive play-caller Matt LaFleur will need to alter his offense.
Wide Receiver Group Depth Will Be Tested
Davante Adams and Allen Lazard are the Packers top two pass catchers. Adams, even with missing a game, leads the Packers with 17 receptions for 192 yards with two touchdown catches. Lazard is right behind Adams with 13 catches for 254 yards along with two touchdown receptions. LaFleur is hoping Adams can return this week. But if he can’t go, LaFleur will need to figure out a way to be productive without his top two pass catchers.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling will be under the spotlight this week. Valdes Scantling is right behind Allen Lazard on the Packers wide receiver depth chart. So far this season, he has hauled in eight catches for 165 yards with one touchdown. He has shown the ability to get deep but has dropped a couple of crucial passes. If Adams can’t go, Valdes-Scantling will be leaned on heavily as the Packers most veteran receiver.
Behind Valdes-Scantling, the Packers will have face a lot of questions. Darrius Shepherd is the most experienced wide receiver behind Valdes-Scantling. But that isn’t saying a lot. Shepherd played in just six games for the Packers last season. His playing time came mostly at the Packers punt returner. He was released during the season and signed to the practice squad. The practice squad is where he started off this season before being signed to the active roster on September 26th. He has yet to catch a pass this season.
The other wide receiver is Malik Taylor. He spent 2019 on the practice squad. It came as a semi surprise that he made this year’s roster over CFL standout Reggie Begelton. He too has yet to catch a pass in 2020.
One player who might actually see more time than Shepherd and Taylor at wide receiver on Monday is Tyler Ervin. The running back by trade spent a lot of time at wide receiver in training camp. He has only four receptions, but with Allen Lazard and possibly Davante Adams out on Monday, he could see a lot of time at wide receiver.
Tight Ends Will Need To Be a Part of the Packers Passing Game
With the absence of Lazard and possibly Adams, we could see the Packers tight end group get more involved in the passing game. That means more of Robert Tonyan.
Tonyan beat out Jace Sternberger in training camp to be the starting tight end. He has caught seven passes so far and looks to be growing into that starting position. We could see Tonyan taking Allen Lazard’s spot as the Packers number two option on Monday night.
Sternberger caught his first regular season pass last week against the Saints. He had some horrible drops in the Packers victory over the Minnesota Vikings. More is expected out of Sternberger. General manager Brian Gutekunst chose not to bring in a tight end this off-season because of Sternberger. Sternberger needs to show he can play up to that level.
Marcedes Lewis is the Packers best blocking tight end. He will always be a part of the Packers run game because of that ability. But last week he hauled in a touchdown pass, showing he still has some to give in the passing game. Lewis could chip in a catch or two on Monday night.
With questionable depth at wide receiver against the Falcons, the tight ends will need to contribute.
More Aaron Jones
Running back Aaron Jones is arguably the Packers biggest and most reliable offensive weapon. He is a threat to go the distance when he carries the ball. But he also has become a major weapon in the Packers passing attack.
Jones is a major piece to the Packers offense already. But with questions at wide receiver going into Monday night, Jones should expect his name called even more. He is right behind Davante Adams and Allen Lazard for receptions with 10.
Expect LaFleur to get as many touches for Jones as he can. Lazard’s absence will hurt, but getting the ball to Aaron Jones more might lessen the blow. We are only three games into the 2020 season, but LaFleur has shown he can adjust. Creating a game plan that is built around Jones and his dual threat ability might be the answer to going 4-0.
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